Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

On April 3 New Zealand First opposed the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngai Tahu Representation) Bill. The Bill proposed to give responsible Ministers the power to appoint two representatives to Environment Canterbury based on the recommendation of the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.

Because of the Environment Canterbury (Transitional Governance Arrangements) Act 2016 there have already been two members within Environment Canterbury appointed by Ministers based on Ngāi Tahu recommendations, this provision is due to cease. We have maintained our opposition to this since opposing the original Bill in 2016.

The purpose of the Bill was to ensure that Ngāi Tahu would be able to express its values and concerns in relation to council decision-making. We believe that continuing this representation would only have further bolstered this iwi in asserting its voice. Ngāi Tahu will continue to have great influence in the region without appointed representatives.

There are many people worthy of these roles and there is nothing stopping these individuals from standing for these positions, just like everyone else. There are no roadblocks to this powerhouse iwi expressing itself, so why would they need to be appointed rather than elected?

Ngāi Tahu make valuable contributions to their regional council, but we need to fiercely defend the need for proper democratic process. Positions of governance should be appointed based on a mandate from the voting public. The process of appointing individuals based on recommendation undermines the system. That is why New Zealand First blocked this Bill.

We strongly believe that this Bill was an unnecessary overreach which would have undermined democracy in our country. New Zealand First welcomes the restoration of regional democracy to Canterbury